Patient support systems and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/722,663 which was filed Nov. 5, 2012and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The presentapplication also claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S.Provisional Application Nos. 61/662,711, filed Jun. 21, 2012, and61/663,311, filed Jun. 22, 2012.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related to patient support systems and methodsof using patient support systems. Specifically, the present disclosureis related to the patient support systems including user interfaces thatcommunicate information to a user and that receive instructions from theuser.

Some modern patient support systems include user interfaces forcommunicating operational information about the patient support systemto a user. Some operational information may be unintelligible forinexperienced users.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses one or more of the features recited inthe appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in anycombination, may comprise patentable subject matter:

According to the present disclosure, a patient support system mayinclude a patient support apparatus and a control system. The patientsupport apparatus may include a base, a deck, and a scale. The deck mayinclude a head-deck section movable relative to the base and a decksensor configured to detect a head-deck position corresponding to theposition of the head-deck section. The scale may be coupled to the deckand configured to detect the weight of a patient supported on the deck.The control system may include a user interface and a controller coupledto the deck sensor, the scale, and the user interface.

In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to display an iconincluding a first portion that graphically indicates if the head-decksection of the patient support apparatus is in one of a set ofpredetermined head-deck positions that allow an accurate weight of thepatient to be detected by the scale. The icon may graphically indicatewhich direction the head-deck section should be moved to assume one ofthe predetermined head-deck positions.

In some embodiments, the deck may include a foot-deck section movablerelative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect afoot-deck position corresponding to the position of the foot-decksection. The icon may include a second portion that graphicallyindicates if the foot-deck section of the patient support apparatus isin one of a set of predetermined foot-deck positions that allow anaccurate weight of the patient to be detected by the scale.

In some embodiments, the base may include a lower frame adapted toengage a floor, an upper frame coupled to the deck to support the deckabove the floor, and a lift system coupled to the lower frame and to theupper frame. The lift system may be configured to move the upper framerelative to the lower frame. The icon may include a third portion thatgraphically indicates if the upper frame of the base is in one of a setof predetermined frame positions that allow an accurate weight of thepatient to be detected by the scale.

In some embodiments, the icon may include an illustration of the patientsupport apparatus and a first graphic indicator associated with thehead-deck section. The first graphic indicator may be displayed in afirst color if the head-deck section is in one of the set ofpredetermined head-deck positions and may be displayed in a second colorif the head-deck section is not in one of the set of predeterminedhead-deck positions.

In some embodiments, the icon includes a first directional indicatorassociated with the head-deck section showing a direction to move thehead-deck section toward the set of predetermined head-deck positions.The directional indicator may be an arrow.

In some embodiments, the base may include a lower frame adapted toengage a floor, an upper frame coupled to the deck to support the deckabove the floor, and a lift system coupled to the lower frame and to theupper frame. The lift system may be configured to move the upper framerelative to the lower frame. The icon may include a second graphicindicator associated with the upper frame and a second directionalindicator associated with the upper frame. The second graphic indicatormay be displayed in a first color if the upper frame is in one of theset of predetermined frame positions and may be displayed in a secondcolor if the upper frame is not in one of the set of predetermined framepositions. The second directional indicator associated with the upperdeck may show a direction to move the upper frame toward the set ofpredetermined frame positions.

In some embodiments, the deck may include a second deck section movablerelative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect asecond-deck position corresponding to the position of the second decksection. The icon may include a third graphic indicator associated withthe second deck section and a third directional indicator associatedwith the second deck section. The third graphic indicator may bedisplayed in a first color if the second deck section is in one of theset of predetermined second-deck positions and may be displayed in asecond color if the second deck section is not in one of the set ofpredetermined second deck positions. The third directional indicatorassociated with the second deck section may show a direction to move thesecond deck toward the set of predetermined second deck positions.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient supportsystem may include a patient support apparatus and a control system. Thepatient support apparatus may include a base, a deck, and an air source.The deck may include a head-deck section movable relative to the baseand a deck sensor configured to detect a head-deck positioncorresponding to the position of the head-deck section. The air sourcemay be configured to provide pressurized therapeutic air to a patientsupport surface mounted on the patient support apparatus. The controlsystem may include a user interface and a controller coupled to the decksensor, the air source, and the user interface.

In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to display an icongraphically indicating if the head-deck section of the patient supportapparatus is in one of a set of predetermined head-deck positions thatallow a pressurized air therapy to be applied to a patient. The icon maygraphically indicate which direction the head-deck section should bemoved to assume one of the predetermined head-deck positions.

In some embodiments, the deck may include a foot-deck section movablerelative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect afoot-deck position corresponding to the position of the foot-decksection. The icon may graphically indicate if the foot-deck section ofthe patient support apparatus is in one of a set of predeterminedfoot-deck positions that allow a pressurized air therapy to be appliedto a patient.

In some embodiments, the icon may include an illustration of the patientsupport apparatus and a first graphic indicator associated with arepresentation of the head-deck section included in the illustration ofthe patient support apparatus. The first graphic indicator may bedisplayed in a first color if the head-deck section is in one of the setof predetermined head-deck positions and may be displayed in a secondcolor if the head-deck section is not in one of the set of predeterminedhead-deck positions. The graphic indicator may be wedge-shaped and mayextend between the representation of the head-deck section and arepresentation of the base included in the illustration of the patientsupport apparatus. The icon may include a first directional indicatorassociated with the representation of the head-deck section showing adirection to move the head-deck section toward the set of predeterminedhead-deck positions.

In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include asiderail movable between a lowered position and a raised position. Asiderail portion of the illustration may be displayed in a first colorif the siderail is in a predetermined position that allows a pressurizedair therapy to be applied to a patient and is displayed in a secondcolor if the siderail is not in the predetermined siderail position.

In some embodiments, the deck may include a second deck section movablerelative to the base. The deck sensor may be configured to detect asecond-deck position corresponding to the position of the second decksection. The icon may include a second graphic indicator associated withthe second deck section and a second directional indicator associatedwith the second deck section. The second graphic indicator may bedisplayed in a first color if the second deck section is in one of a setof predetermined second-deck positions that allow a pressurized airtherapy to be applied to a patient and may be displayed in a secondcolor if the second deck section is not in one of the set ofpredetermined second deck positions. The second directional indicatorassociated with the second deck section may show a direction to move thesecond deck toward the set of predetermined second deck positions.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient supportsystem may include a patient support apparatus and a control system. Thepatient support apparatus having a head end, a foot end, a left side,and a right side. The patient support apparatus may include a lowerframe adapted to engage a floor, an upper frame supported over the lowerframe, a lift system coupled to the lower frame and to the upper frame,and an obstruction sensor configured to detect obstructions between thelower frame and the upper frame. The control system may include a userinterface and a controller coupled to the obstruction sensor, the airsource, and the user interface.

In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to display an icongraphically indicating if an obstruction is detected by the obstructionsensor and indicating a location of the obstruction. The icon mayinclude an illustration of the patient support apparatus and a firstgraphic indicator associated with one of the head end, the foot end, theleft side, and the right side of the patient support apparatus.

In some embodiments, the first graphic indicator may be arranged alongone of the head end, the foot end, the left side and the right side ofthe illustration of the patient support apparatus to indicate thelocation of a first obstruction.

In some embodiments, the icon may include a first directional indicatorassociated with the first graphic indicator arranged to indicate thelocation of the obstruction. The directional indicator may be an arrowoverlying the first graphic indicator.

In some embodiments, first graphic indicator may be rectangular. Thefirst graphic indicator may be displayed in one of yellow and red.

In some embodiments, the icon may include a second graphic indicatorarranged along one of the head end, the foot end, the left side and theright side of the illustration of the patient support apparatus toindicate the location of a second obstruction. The icon may include afirst arrow overlying the first graphic indicator and a second arrowoverlying the second graphic indicator

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any otherfeature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims,may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode ofcarrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient support system including apatient support apparatus with a movable deck and a patient supportsurface mounted on the deck of patient support apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the patient support system of FIG. 1showing that the patient support apparatus includes a scale system, alift system, and a number of sensors;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a first user input included in the patientsupport apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a second user input included in the patientsupport apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a home screen that is displayed on a userinterface included in the patient support apparatus showing a userselecting a scale system icon included in the home screen;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of a main scale screen;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of a scale operation screen indicating that thepatient support apparatus is not properly configured to detect anaccurate weight of a patient on the patient support system;

FIG. 8 is a detail view of a first recommended position screen includingan icon that indicates how to move components of the patient supportapparatus so that the patient support apparatus is properly configuredto detect an accurate weight of a patient on the patient support system;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of a second recommended position screenincluding an icon indicating that the patient support apparatus isproperly configured to detect an accurate weight of a patient on thepatient support system;

FIG. 10 is a detail view of a first reminder screen including an iconand text indicating that items coupled to the deck of the patientsupport apparatus should be moved prior to recording the weight of apatient on the deck;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of a new patient weight screen showing arecorded patient weight;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of a second reminder screen including an iconand text indicating that items moved from the deck prior to recordingthe weight of a patient on the deck can be replaced;

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the home screen showing a user selecting atherapy system icon;

FIG. 14 is a detail view of main therapy screen;

FIG. 15 is a detail view of rotation therapy screen;

FIG. 16 is a detail view of a could not start CLRT (continuous lateralrotation therapy) screen including an icon indicating that the patientsupport apparatus is not properly configured to for the application ofcontinuous lateral rotation therapy;

FIG. 17 is a detail view of a first obstacle detection warning screenwith an icon indicating that an obstruction is detected between a lowerframe and an upper frame of the patient support apparatus along a footend of the patient support apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a detail view of a second obstacle detection warning screenwith an icon indicating that an obstruction is detected between thelower frame and the upper frame of the patient support apparatus along aleft side of the patient support apparatus; and

FIG. 19 is a detail view of a third obstacle detection warning screenwith an icon indicating that an obstruction is detected between thelower frame and the upper frame of the patient support apparatus along aright side of the patient support apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A patient support system 10 illustratively includes a patient supportapparatus (sometimes called a bed frame) 12, a patient support surface(sometimes called a mattress) 14, and a control system 16 integratedinto the patient support apparatus 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The patientsupport apparatus 12 illustratively includes a scale system 18configured to weigh a patient on the patient support apparatus 12, anair system 20 configured to provide pressurized air to rotation therapybladders 24 included in the patient support surface 14, and a liftsystem 22 configured to raise and lower the patient support surface 14relative to a floor 11 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The control system 16 is coupled to each of the systems 18, 20, 22 andis coupled to a user interface 25 as shown in FIG. 2. The user interface25 is illustratively a touch-screen display mounted on a siderail 38 ofthe patient support apparatus 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The controlsystem 16 is configured to display icons on the user interface 25 assuggested in FIGS. 8, 16, and 17-19 to indicate to a user an action thatshould be taken in order to enable one of the systems 18, 20, 22.

More specifically, the control system 16 displays an icon 241 (shown inFIG. 8) indicating how to rearrange components of the patient supportapparatus 12 in order to allow the scale system 18 to take an accuratereading. Also, the control system 16 displays an icon 341 (shown in FIG.16) indicating how to rearrange components of the patient supportapparatus 12 to allow the rotation therapy bladders 24 included in thepatient support surface 14 to effectively provide continuous lateralrotation therapy (CLRT). Finally, the control system 16 displays an icon411 (shown in FIGS. 17-19) indicating which side of the patient supportapparatus 12 is blocked by an obstruction that prevents the lift system22 from lowering the patient support surface 14.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the patient support apparatus 12 includes abase 34 and a deck 36 that support the patient support surface 14 abovethe floor 11. The base 34 is configured to raise and lower the deck 36relative to the floor 11 to raise and lower the patient support surface14 relative to the floor 11. The deck 36 is articulatable and may bereconfigured to support a patient on the patient support surface 14 in avariety of positions, for example in a lie-flat position or a sit-upposition (shown in FIG. 1). The patient support apparatus 12 alsoincludes siderails 38 and headrails 40 coupled to the deck 36 to block apatient from accidentally rolling off of the patient support system 10.

The base 34 illustratively includes a lower frame 42 and an upper frame44 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally, the base 34 includes thescale system 18, the air system 20, the lift system 22, and lift systemsensors 45 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. The scale system 18 isillustratively coupled between the upper frame 44 and the deck 36 toweight a patient on the patient support surface 14. The lift system 22is illustratively coupled between the lower frame 42 and the upper frame44 to raise and lower the upper frame 44 relative to the lower frame 42.The lift system sensors 21 illustratively include position sensors 47and obstruction sensors 49 as shown in FIG. 1. The air system 20 ispneumatically coupled to the rotation therapy bladders 24 (along withother inflatable bladders) included in the support surface 14.

The scale system 18 is illustratively made up of load cells coupledbetween the upper frame 44 and the deck 36 as suggested in FIG. 2. Theload cells are configured to detect the weight applied by a patient onthe patient support system 10 when the patient support apparatus 12 isin one of a predetermined set of positions. However, the load cells maynot be able to detect an accurate weight if the patient supportapparatus 12 moved outside the predetermined set of positions. Forexample, when the patient support apparatus moves to a chair position(not shown) the load cells are unable to accurately detect a patient'sweight. For this reason, the control system 16 is configured to indicateto a user trying to use the scale system 18 if the patient supportapparatus 12 is out of position and how to move the patient supportapparatus 12 to a position in which the scale system 18 can detectpatient weight accurately as suggested in FIGS. 5-12.

The air system 20 illustratively includes an air source such as ablower, compressor, or the like housed in the lower frame 42 assuggested in FIG. 1. In operation, the air system 20 providespressurized air to the rotation therapy bladders 24 to rotate a patientsupported on the patient support surface 14 about a longitudinal axis14A of the patient support surface 14. However, the rotation therapybladders 24 may not be able to effectively rotate a patient if thepatient support apparatus 12 moved outside a predetermined set ofpositions. For example, when the patient support apparatus moves to achair position (not shown) the rotation bladders do not underlie apatient and are unable to effectively rotate a patient to providecontinuous lateral rotation therapy (rocking a patient back and forthabout the axis 14A). For this reason, the control system 16 isconfigured to indicate to a user trying to use the air system 20 and therotation therapy bladders 24 if the patient support apparatus 12 is outof position and how to move the patient support apparatus 12 to aposition in which the air system 20 and the rotation therapy bladders 24can effectively rotate a patient as shown in FIGS. 13-16.

The lift system 22 illustratively includes lift arms 61, 62, 63, 64 thatpivot relative to the lower frame 42 and the upper frame 44 to raise andlower the upper frame 44 relative to the lower frame 42 as shown inFIG. 1. The obstruction sensors 49 included in the lift system sensors45 are configured to detect the location of any obstructions presentbetween the lower frame 42 and the upper frame 44. When the obstructionsensors 49 detect an obstruction between the lower frame 42 and theupper frame 44, the control system 16 is configured to disallow anydownward movement of the upper frame 44 that might result in a collisionwith the detected obstruction. The control system 16 is furtherconfigured to indicate to a user where the detected obstruction islocated relative to the patient support apparatus 12. More specifically,the control system 16 is configured to indicate which side of thepatient support apparatus 12 corresponds to the detected obstruction todirect a user to that side for removal of the obstruction as shown inFIGS. 17-19. In the illustrative embodiment, the control system 16 mayindicate an obstruction detected along a head end 71, a foot end 72, aleft side 73, or a right side 74 of the patient support system 10.

The deck 36 illustratively includes a head-deck section 46, a seat-decksection 48, a thigh-deck section 50, and a foot-deck section 52 as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. The head-deck section 46 is mounted to the upper frame44 to pivot about an axis relative to the seat-deck section 48 and toslide relative to the seat-deck section 48 and the upper frame 44 asdescribed in U.S. Publication Nos. US 2010/0122415 A1 and US2012/0005832 A1, both incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety, except as they are inconsistent with the present disclosure.The seat-deck section 48 is coupled to the upper frame 44 to move withthe upper frame 44. The thigh-deck section 50 is coupled to theseat-deck section 48 to pivot relative to the seat-deck section 48. Thefoot-deck section 52 is coupled to the thigh-deck section 50 to pivotrelative to the thigh-deck section 50. The foot-deck section 52 is alsoextendable and retractable to lengthen or shorten the deck 36 as desiredby a caregiver or to accommodate repositioning of the deck 36.

In addition to the deck sections, the deck 36 illustratively includesdeck actuators 54 and deck sensors 56 as shown diagrammatically in FIG.2. The deck actuators 54 are coupled to the head-deck section 46, thethigh-deck section 50, and the foot-deck section 52 to move the decksections 46, 50, 52. The deck actuators 54 are illustratively electricmotors, pneumatic pistons, and/or the like. The deck sensors 56 arecoupled to each of the deck sections 46, 48, 50, 52 and are configuredto determine the position of the deck sections 46, 48, 50, 52.

The control system 16 illustratively includes a controller 60, the userinterface 25, and user inputs 66, 68, 70 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thecontroller 60 is illustratively coupled to the scale system 18, the airsystem 20, the lift system 22, the user interface 25, the lift systemsensors 45, the deck actuators 54, the deck sensors 56, and the userinputs 66, 68, 70 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. The controller 60includes a processor 76 and a memory 78 coupled to the processor 76. Thememory 78 stores instructions to be executed by the processor 76.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the user input 68 includes a battery levelindicator 99 and a plurality of buttons 101-116. Buttons 101-116 areoperable by a caregiver to reconfigure the patient support apparatus 12by communicating with the controller 60 to operate the deck actuators54, the lift system 22, and the air system 20. Specifically, the userinput 68 includes the following buttons:

-   -   Chair-egress button 101 for reconfiguring the patient support        apparatus 12 to a chair-egress configuration,    -   Return-to-flat button 102 for reconfiguring the patient support        apparatus 12 from a non-flat configuration (such as        chair-egress) to a flat position,    -   Trendelenberg button 103 for reconfiguring the patient support        apparatus 12 to a Trendelenberg configuration,    -   Reverse-Trendelenberg button 104 for reconfiguring the patient        support apparatus 12 to a reverse-Trendelenberg configuration,    -   Pull-up-in-bed button 105 for flattening the deck 36 and raising        the foot end 72 of the deck 36 above the head end 71 of the deck        36 to assist a caregiver pulling a patient up in the patient        support apparatus 12,    -   Foot-raise button 106 for raising the foot-deck section 52 as        suggested by the icon on the foot-raise button 106,    -   Foot-lower button 107 for lowering the foot-deck section 52 as        suggested by the icon on the foot-lower button 107,    -   Foot-extend button 108 for extending the foot-deck section 52,    -   Foot-retract button 109 for retracting the foot-deck section 52,    -   Head-deck incline button 110 for increasing the incline of the        head-deck section 46 by pivoting the head-deck section 46        relative to the seat-deck section 48 and sliding the head-deck        section 46 relative to the seat-deck section 48 and the upper        frame 44,    -   Head-deck decline button 111 for decreasing the incline of the        head-deck section 46,    -   Thigh-deck incline button 112 for increasing the incline of the        thigh-deck section 50,    -   Thigh-deck decline button 113 for decreasing the incline of the        thigh-deck section 50,    -   Upper-frame raise button 114 for lifting the upper frame 44        relative to the lower frame 42,    -   Upper-frame lower button 115 for lowering the upper frame 44        relative to the lower frame 42, and    -   Unlock button 116 for activating the functions of buttons        101-115 in response to holding down unlock button 116 to prevent        unwanted activation of buttons 101-113.

Referring to FIG. 4, the user input 70 includes a plurality of buttons117-124. Buttons 117-124 are operable by a caregiver to reconfigure thepatient support apparatus 12 by communicating with the controller 60 tooperate the deck actuators 54, the lift system 22, and the air system20. Specifically, the user input 70 includes the following buttons:

-   -   Side-egress button 117 for reconfiguring the patient support        apparatus 12 to a side-egress configuration,    -   Return-to-rest button 118 for returning the patient support        apparatus 12 to a resting configuration from the side-egress        configuration,    -   Head-deck incline button 119 for increasing the incline of the        head-deck section 46 by pivoting the head-deck section 46        relative to the seat-deck section 48 and sliding the head-deck        section 46 relative to the seat-deck section 48 and the upper        frame 44,    -   Head-deck decline button 120 for decreasing the incline of the        head-deck section 46,    -   Thigh-deck incline button 121 for increasing the incline of the        thigh-deck section 50,    -   Thigh-deck decline button 122 for decreasing the incline of the        thigh-deck section 50,    -   Upper-frame raise button 123 for lifting the upper frame 44        relative to the lower frame 42, and    -   Upper-frame lower button 124 for lowering the upper frame 44        relative to the lower frame 42.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-12, screens associated with a user operatingthe scale system 18 are shown. In FIG. 5, a home screen 200 that isdisplayed by the control system 16 on the user interface 25 is shown.The home screen 200 includes an icon 202 showing a dynamicrepresentation of the patient support system 10, a plurality of alerticons 204, a home button 206, and a menu of selectable screen buttons208. The dynamic representation 202 of the patient support system 10 isadjusted to show the condition of the system 10 including the head-angleof the head-deck section 46, operations of the support surface 14, andany therapies being applied by the support surface 14. The alert icons204 are each indicative of a different piece of information about thesystem 10 and may be pressed to move to an expanded alert screencorresponding to the alert icon. The home button 206 may be pressed onany screen to return to the home screen 200. The menu of selectablescreen buttons 208 may be selected to change screens, rotated bypressing arrows above and below the menu, or rotated by flicking orswiping upwardly or downwardly on the menu to expose additional screenbuttons.

To begin operation of the scale system a user presses a scale button 210included in the menu 208 as suggested in FIG. 5. Pressing the scalebutton 210 causes the control system 16 to display a scale screen 220shown in FIG. 6. On the scale screen 220, a user can select from a zerobutton 222 configured to zero the scale, a scale button 224 to requestthat the scale system 18 record a patient weight, or an options button226 to launch a screen for adjusting the operation of the scale system18 (e.g. changing from English to metric units). To request that thescale system 18 record a patient weight, a user presses the scale button224 as suggested in FIG. 6.

If the control system 16 determines that an accurate weight cannot bedetermined a scale operation screen 230 (shown in FIG. 7) is displayedon the user interface 25, otherwise, a first reminder screen 250 (shownin FIG. 10) is displayed. An accurate may not be able to be determinedeither because the patient support apparatus 12 is not in one of a setof a predetermined positions or because a patient is moving.

The scale operation screen 230 includes a non-verified weight display232 showing the information available (even though the weight detectedmay not be accurate), an initial weight display 234, and a weight trenddisplay 235 as shown in FIG. 7. Sometimes, the scale operation screen230 includes an out of position warning display 236 (if the patientsupport apparatus 12 is not in one of the set of the predeterminedpositions approved for scale operation) and an unstable warning display238 (if the patient is moving).

If a user presses a displayed out of position warning display 236, assuggested in FIG. 7, a recommended position screen 240 is displayed onthe user interface 25 by the control system 16. The recommended positionscreen 240 includes a graphic icon 241 that indicates which componentsof the patient support apparatus 12 are causing the out of positionfault and indicates how to rearrange the patient support apparatus 12 tobe in one of the predetermined positions that would allow accurateweight measurement. The icon 241 includes an illustration 242 of thepatient support system 10, fault indicators 243, 244, 245 showingcomponents that are out of position, and directional indicators 246,247, 248 showing how to move the components out of position intoposition to allow an accurate weight to be detected.

The fault indicators 243, 244, 245 are illustratively a head-sectionindicator 243, a foot-section indicator 244, and an upper-frameindicator 245 that are displayed in yellow to indicate that acorresponding component 46, 52, 44 is out of position as shown in FIG.7. When the components 46, 52, 44 are in a predetermined position thatallows accurate weighing of a patient, the corresponding fault indicator243, 244, 245 turns green as shown in FIG. 9.

The directional indicators 246, 247, 248 are illustratively ahead-section arrow 246, a foot-section arrow 247, and an upper-framearrow 248 as shown in FIG. 8. Each arrow 246, 247, 248 indicates whichdirection to move the corresponding component 46, 52, 44 in order to getthe component 46, 52, 44 into one of the predetermined set of positionsthat will allow the scale system 18 to detect an accurate weight. Whenthe components 46, 52, 44 are in a predetermined position that allowsaccurate weighing of a patient, the corresponding directional indicator246, 247, 248 disappears as shown in FIG. 9.

Turning now to FIG. 9, when the patient support apparatus 12 is moved toa position that will allow an accurate weight to be detected, the faultindicators 243, 244, 245 turn green and the directional indicators 246,247, 248 are removed from the icon 241. A user can then press a continuebutton 249 to display the first reminder screen 250 shown in FIG. 10.

The first reminder screen 250 includes an icon 251 that shows whichportions of the patient support system 10 should not be supporting itemsnot supported when the scale system 18 was last zeroed as shown in FIG.10. The icon 251 includes an illustration 252 of the patient supportsystem 10 with the deck 36, the siderails 38, and the headrails 40 inyellow to indicate that these components will be weighed with thepatient. The illustration 252 also includes a green hook 253 showncoupled to the upper frame 44 of the patient support apparatus 12. Theicon 251 further includes an arrow 254 suggesting that drainage bags(not shown) hung on the yellow components be moved to the green hook253. A user can then press a continue button 259 to display a new weightscreen 260 shown in FIG. 11.

The new weight screen 260 includes a weight display 262 and an initialweight display 264 as shown in FIG. 11. A user can reweigh the patientusing a reweigh button 265 or cancel recording of the patient weightusing a cancel button 267. If a user is satisfied with the currentweight detected and recorded by the scale system 18, the user can pressan accept button 266 to display a second reminder screen 270 as shown inFIG. 12. The second reminder screen 270 is similar to the first reminderscreen 250 but suggests that the user put items back on the deck 36 andmoves drainage bags back to deck hooks via an arrow 274. The user canthen press a close button 279 to return to the home screen 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, screens associated with a user operatingthe air system 20 and rotation bladders 24 to provide continuous lateralrotation therapy is shown. In FIG. 13, the home screen 200 is shown witha user pressing a pulmonary therapy button 310 included in the menu 208.Once the pulmonary therapy button 310 is pressed, the control system 16displays a main therapy screen 320 on the user interface 25 as shown inFIG. 14. The main therapy screen includes a rotation button 322 and apercussion and vibration therapy button 324 as shown in FIG. 14. A userpressing the rotation button 322 will advance to a rotation therapyscreen 330 as shown in FIG. 15.

On the rotation therapy screen 330, a user can adjust the rate,magnitude of the rotation, and duration of therapy that will be appliedto a patient as suggested in FIG. 15. Once a set of parameters areselected, a user can press a start button 332 to begin continuouslateral rotation therapy. However, if the patient support apparatus isnot in one of a set of predetermined positions in which the rotationbladders 24 are arranged to properly rotate a patient, a could not startCLRT screen 340 will be displayed on the user interface 25 as shown inFIG. 16.

The could not start CLRT screen 340 illustratively includes a graphicicon 341 that indicates which components of the patient supportapparatus 12 are causing the out of position fault and indicates how torearrange the patient support apparatus 12 to be in one of thepredetermined positions that would the therapy to be applied. The icon341 includes an illustration 342 of the patient support system 10, faultindicators 343, 344, 345 showing components that are out of position,and directional indicators 346, 347, 348 showing how to move thecomponents out of position into position to allow an accurate weight tobe detected.

The fault indicators 343, 344, 345 are illustratively a head-sectionindicator 343, a foot-section indicator 344, and a siderail indicator345 that are displayed in yellow to indicate that a correspondingcomponent 46, 52, 38 is out of position as shown in FIG. 16. When thecomponents 46, 52, 38 are in a predetermined position that allowseffective therapy to be applied, the corresponding fault indicator 343,344, 345 is no longer colored.

The directional indicators 346, 347, 348 are illustratively ahead-section arrow 346, a foot-section arrow 347, and a siderail arrow348 as shown in FIG. 16. Each arrow 346, 347, 348 indicates whichdirection to move the corresponding component 46, 52, 38 in order to getthe component 46, 52, 38 into one of the predetermined set of positionsthat will allow therapy to be applied to a patient. When the components46, 52, 38 are in a predetermined position that allows accurate weighingof a patient, the corresponding directional indicator 346, 347, 348disappears. Once all indicators are cleared, a user can press a closebutton 349 to return to the rotation therapy screen 330 to start thetherapy.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-19, a set of warning screens 410 are shownthat are displayed by the control system 16 on the user interface if anobstruction is detected between the upper frame 44 and the lower frame42. The warning screens 410 each include an icon 411 with anillustration 412 of the patient support system 10, a fault indicator414, and a set of arrows 416. The fault indicator 414 of each icon 411is associated with one of the head end 71, the foot end 72, the leftside 73, and the right side 74 of the patient support system 10. A faultindicator 414 is arranged to indicate where obstructions between thelower frame 42 and the upper frame 44 are located so that a user canremove the obstruction to allow the upper frame 44 to be loweredrelative to the lower frame 42. The arrows 416 overlie the faultindicators 414 to further indicate where the obstruction is located.

The warning screens 410 are illustratively displayed when a user triesto lower the upper frame 44 toward the lower frame 42 and theobstruction sensor 49 detects an obstruction between the upper frame 44and the lower frame 42. By indicating to a user where an obstruction islocated, the user can quickly clear the obstruction to allow lowering ofthe upper frame 44. This feature may be helpful when nuisanceobstructions such as bed sheets trigger the obstruction sensor 49 andprevent lowering of the upper frame 44.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A patient support system comprising apatient support apparatus including a base, a deck having a head-decksection movable relative to the base and a deck sensor configured todetect a head-deck position corresponding to the position of thehead-deck section, and a scale coupled to the deck and configured todetect the weight of a patient supported on the deck, wherein the baseincludes a lower frame adapted to engage a floor, an upper frame coupledto the deck to support the deck above the floor, and a lift systemcoupled to the lower frame and to the upper frame, and the deck includesa foot-deck section movable relative to the base and the deck sensor isconfigured to detect a foot-deck position corresponding to the positionof the foot-deck section, and the lift system is configured to move theupper frame relative to the lower frame, and a control system includinga user interface and a controller coupled to the deck sensor, the scale,and the user interface, the controller configured to display an iconincluding a first portion that graphically indicates if the head-decksection of the patient support apparatus is in one of a set ofpredetermined head-deck positions that allow an accurate weight of thepatient to be detected by the scale, wherein the icon includes a secondportion and a third portion, and the second portion graphicallyindicates if the foot-deck section of the patient support apparatus isin one of a set of predetermined foot-deck positions that allow anaccurate weight of the patient to be detected by the scale, and thethird portion graphically indicates if the upper frame of the base is inone of a set of predetermined frame positions that allow an accurateweight of the patient to be detected by the scale.
 2. The patientsupport system of claim 1, wherein the icon graphically indicates whichdirection the head-deck section should be moved to assume one of thepredetermined head-deck positions.
 3. The patient support system ofclaim 1, wherein the icon includes an illustration of the patientsupport apparatus and a first graphic indicator associated with thehead-deck section and the first graphic indicator is displayed in afirst color if the head-deck section is in one of the set ofpredetermined head-deck positions and is displayed in a second color ifthe head-deck section is not in one of the set of predeterminedhead-deck positions.
 4. The patient support system of claim 1, whereinthe icon includes a graphic indicator showing components of the patientsupport system to be weighed, the components to be weighed comprisingthe deck, siderails, and headrails.
 5. The patient support system ofclaim 4, wherein the graphic indicator is a color and components of thepatient support system to be weighed are displayed in the color.
 6. Thepatient support system of claim 4, wherein the icon includes a hookcoupled to the upper frame and a directional indicator associated withthe components of the patient support system to be weighed, and thedirectional indicator shows a direction to move drainage bags off thecomponents of the patient support system to be weighed onto the hook. 7.The patient support system of claim 4, wherein the display includes thegraphic indicator and text indicating items coupled to the deck of thepatient support apparatus should be moved prior to recording the weightof a patient on the deck.
 8. The patient support system of claim 1,wherein the base includes a lower frame adapted to engage a floor, anupper frame supported over the lower frame, a lift system coupled to thelower frame and to the upper frame, and an obstruction sensor configuredto detect obstructions between the lower frame and the upper frame, andthe controller is configured to display an icon graphically indicatingif an obstruction is detected by the obstruction sensor and indicating alocation of the obstruction.
 9. A patient support system comprising apatient support apparatus including a base, a deck having a head-decksection movable relative to the base and a deck sensor configured todetect a head-deck position corresponding to the position of thehead-deck section, and a scale coupled to the deck and configured todetect the weight of a patient supported on the deck, wherein the baseincludes a lower frame adapted to engage a floor, an upper frame coupledto the deck to support the deck above the floor, and a lift systemcoupled to the lower frame and to the upper frame, the lift system beingconfigured to move the upper frame relative to the lower frame, and acontrol system including a user interface and a controller coupled tothe deck sensor, the scale, and the user interface, the controllerconfigured to display an icon including a first portion that graphicallyindicates if the head-deck section of the patient support apparatus isin one of a set of predetermined head-deck positions that allow anaccurate weight of the patient to be detected by the scale wherein theicon includes an illustration of the patient support apparatus, a firstgraphic indicator associated with the head-deck section, and a firstdirectional indicator associated with the head-deck section showing adirection to move the head-deck section toward the set of predeterminedhead-deck positions and the directional indicator is an arrow, andwherein the icon includes a second graphic indicator associated with theupper frame and a second directional indicator associated with the upperframe, the second graphic indicator is displayed in a first color if theupper frame is in one of the set of predetermined frame positions and isdisplayed in a second color if the upper frame is not in one of the setof predetermined frame positions, and the second directional indicatorassociated with the upper frame shows a direction to move the upperframe toward the set of predetermined frame positions.
 10. The patientsupport system of claim 9, wherein the deck includes a second decksection movable relative to the base and the deck sensor is configuredto detect a second-deck position corresponding to the position of thesecond deck section, the icon includes a third graphic indicatorassociated with the second deck section and a third directionalindicator associated with the second deck section, the third graphicindicator is displayed in a first color if the second deck section is inone of the set of predetermined second-deck positions and is displayedin a second color if the second deck section is not in one of the set ofpredetermined second deck positions, and the third directional indicatorassociated with the second deck section shows a direction to move thesecond deck toward the set of predetermined second deck positions.
 11. Apatient support system comprising a patient support apparatus includinga base including an upper frame, a deck having a plurality of decksections movable relative to the base and a deck sensor configured todetect a deck position corresponding to the position of at least one ofthe plurality of deck sections, and a scale coupled to the deck andconfigured to detect the weight of a patient supported on the deck, anda control system including a user interface and a controller coupled tothe deck sensor, and the user interface, the controller configured todisplay an icon that graphically indicates a direction that at least onedeck section should be moved so that the deck sections of the patientsupport apparatus are in one of a set of predetermined deck positionsthat allow an accurate weight of the patient to be detected by thescale, wherein the icon includes a first graphic indicator associatedwith the upper frame and a first directional indicator associated withthe upper frame and the directional indicator associated with the upperframe shows a direction to move the upper frame toward the set ofpredetermined frame positions.
 12. The patient support system of claim11, wherein the base includes a lower frame adapted to engage a floorand a lift system coupled to the lower frame and to the upper frame, thelift system is configured to move the upper frame relative to the lowerframe, the upper frame being coupled to the deck to support the deckabove the floor, and the icon graphically indicates if the upper frameof the base is in one of a set of predetermined frame positions thatallow an accurate weight of the patient to be detected by the scale. 13.The patient support system of claim 11, wherein the icon includes anillustration of the patient support apparatus and a second graphicindicator associated with at least one of the deck sections.
 14. Thepatient support system of claim 13, wherein the second graphic indicatoris displayed in a first color if a corresponding deck section is in oneof the set of predetermined deck positions and is displayed in a secondcolor if a corresponding deck section is not in one of the set ofpredetermined deck positions.